Oaklands Open Evenings - next week!

Visit Oaklands College next week for information about all their courses.
Tuesday 28th April at St Albans Campus
Wed 29th April at Welwyn Garden City Campus
Both events are open 5pm-8pm, no booking required.
See the college website for more information about what they offer.
Here's the link to the flyer for the open events.

School Sports Apprenticeship vacancies

DSSN is looking for sports apprentices to support the delivery of PE and
school sport within Dacorum Primary Schools. The role will begin in
September 2015.
The apprentice will:
 be based in a primary school (4 days/ week)
 work for DSSN (1 day/week)
 earn approximately £4200/year
 receive a NVQ- Activity Leadership level 2 qualification
 be aged 16-21 and not in full time education
The apprentice should:
 Have some leadership experience
 Have good organisational skills
 Be self-motivated and able to use their initiative
 Want to inspire others.
If all of the above sounds like a career for you please contact
Clare McCawley on 01442 278737 or via e-mail to:
C.McCawley@cavendish.herts.sch.uk for more details and an
application form.
Closing date Friday 29th May 2015

Barratt Foundation Degree programme (paid work and study)

Residential Development & Construction Foundation Degree Programme Up to £24,000 + benefits Opportunities nationwide Housing is big news. Just like this opportunity. Demand for all kinds of homes - from the affordable, to the extravagant - keeps rising. Which makes construction a fantastic sector in which to establish a sustainable future. As a FTSE 100, award-winning house builder, Barratt is the place to do it.​ If you're seeking an alternative to full-time Higher Education, we have the answer. Our three-year Foundation Degree Programme in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University combines full-time work with study to give you everything you need to transition into your new career - including accredited qualifications, professional experience and valuable connections. Don't just take our word for it. Here's what our students say: "I was attracted to Barratt as the company has an ethos of improving environments where they build. Each day offers new challenges. The best part of my job is when the home we have been constructing is complete and the street scene is created. There is a huge sense of pride and seeing customers excitedly move into their homes is rewarding. The achievements I have made in such a short space of time have set me up in the industry." Sean Regan Discover more and apply here.

Access Professions

Excellent website for soon-to-be school leavers to find routes into quality work experience, insight days, summer school and other opportunities.  Register with them to get relevant opportunities emailed to you in time to apply.
Currently many opportunities on offer to help you find out about working in Business.
Covers uni route and also alternative routes too.
http://www.accessprofessions.com/ 

Opportunities for school leavers

Here are some ideas to explore if you are looking at alternatives to university ie you have (or expect to have) UCAS points. Not all employers will require you to have UCAS points, they may just want GCSEs plus vocational/technical qualifications, relevant experience, and enthusiasm.  Many of these links offer advice as well as opportunities to apply for.  Also see other posts on this blogspot site - check the labels on the right hand side for sectors and other labels according to your interest area.

These opportunities are competitive so be sure to make your applications really OUTSTANDING.  They are at least as difficult to complete as a UCAS application.  Seek help and advice and don't leave your application till the last minute.    You can get help from Youth Connexions with making your application, or ask in Careers Office, or ask someone you trust especially if they already work in the sector you are aiming for.

Don't be daunted if you are turned down - just learn from the experience and make your application better next time.  Vacancies come online all year round. Unlike UCAS, you can apply for as many as you want and at any time.  Just do plenty of research and only apply if you fit the criteria in the vacancy exactly - or can at least put a good case together to make the employer interested in you.

Youth Connexions Hertfordshire have compiled a list of national employers with opportunities for school leavers who are looking for alternatives to uni.  The list is organised by industry sector. These opportunities normally require 280+ UCAS points (predicted or actual) to apply and will include a structured training (paid) with a view to a permanent position.   See the list here.

You can apply for apprenticeships - with UCAS points you can apply for a Higher Apprenticeship, or you can apply for an Advanced Apprenticeship - most of these require GCSEs not A levels, but the better ones (more technical, higher paid and better prospects) will require more maturity, experience and engagement than someone leaving from year 11.

Pure Potential is an independent organisation which raises the aspirations of thousands of sixth-formers every year, encouraging them to apply to and achieve offers from excellent universities and leading employers.   Good section on School Leavers, including a booklet to download  "Guide to Alternatives to University 2014".  See their events page too: some of these are free if you register early enough.

AllAboutSchoolLeavers for actual vacancies and advice on how to apply. They list School Leaver Programmes, Higher Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degree programmes.

Total Professions Careers Spotlight: New Routes to the Professions.Aiming to improve access to professional careers.

Future-talent      Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees.  Advice and opportunities.

Not Going to Uni - the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs.
From apprenticeships to debt-free education, there are literally thousands of other opportunities out there. The Not Going to Uni team are here to help you find apprenticeships, college courses or work experience to start building your future.

Not Going To Uni Newsletter 26-1-15  Opportunities with Skanska, Army, Smith & Williamson (financial services), Merchant Navy, Laing O'Rourke.

Tesco training programmes inc Management training and apprenticeships.  Tesco is a very large employer which holds potential for employment in almost every sector, not just retail.  For instance they need people in HR, marketing, finance, logistics, operations - as do many large employers.

Find your future in finance and law with Directions.  All you need to know about careers in the finance sector and how to get a rewarding career through work experience, school leaver schemes, apprenticeships, internships and graduate schemes.                        

Apprenticeships: a Parent's Guide

See this guide for answers to questions such as...
What is the difference between Advanced Apprenticeship and Higher Apprenticeship?

Main site for young people wanting information on Apprenticeships, including finding a vacancy and how to apply.